Syrup valve



June 8, 1937. A. R'THOMPSON 2,082,917

" sYRUP VALVE y Filed oct. '2, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 1 myz.

Patented June 8, 1937 PATENT OFFICE SYRUP VALVE Albert R. Thompson, San Jose, Calif., assigner to Food Machinery Corporation, San Jose, Calif., a corporation of Delaware .Application October 2,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid valve mechanisms and has to do more especially with syrup valves employed in the fruit canning industry.

In the commercial canning o-f fruit the procedure is first, to put into the cans the predetermined amount of solid fruit and thereafter to fill the remaining space in the cans with syrup consisting usually of a solution of sugar in waterthe same practice being followed in the canning of vegetables and other products except that the fluid ller is usually brine instead of syrup.

The machines employed for lling the cans with syrup or other iiuid are known as syruping machines, and these comprise elements for conveying the cans to be lled into engagement with valves (known as syruping valves) through which syrup is fed to the cans in the required quantities.

'I'here are several prior patents pertaining to syruping valvesof the general character here dealt with, and among these are United States Letters Patent Nos. 1,288,749 and 1,355,016, issued to A. R. 'Thompson Although the syruping valves of the prior art to which reference has been made are entirely practicable and, for the most part, satisfactory, it has been found that for very soft fruit such as berries, apricots and some peaches there is a tendency for the valve member which enters the can to' crush the fruit and also to close up the interstices, with a resultant insufficient lling of the cans with syrup. f

The object of the present invention is to devise a syruping valve which will not press down upon the fruit and which will otherwise function at least as satisfactorily as the valves heretofore in use.

The present invention is characterized in that `the valve disc, instead of moving into the can upon opening of the valve, moves away from the can in the same direction of movement as the valve seat member. The novel ,mechanism by means of which this desirable result is accomplished can best be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. lis a vertical sectional View through a portion of a syruping machine including the syruping valve of thisinvention-the valve being shown in .the closed position with a can in place and either about to be filled or `having been filled; I

Fig. 2 is identical with Fig. 1 except that the valve is shown `in the open position wherein syrup is being admitted to the can;

1933, Serial N0. 691,858

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line y3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

The syruping machine comprises a circular 5 syrup tank I mounted to rotate about its vertical axis and around the bottom of which are 'arranged peripherally a considerable number of syruping valves 2 which revolve with the syrup tank in a horizontal plane. Below the y syrup 10 tank and coaxial therewith is a circular can conveyor comprising a number of can holders 3, each of which yis in registration individually with one of the syruping valves. These can holders move horizontally in a circular path simultaneously 15 with the syrup tank and valves, and a suitable mechanism (not shown) is provided f0.1' lifting the can holders together with the cans, thereby bringing the open upper ends of the cans into engagement with their respectively associated syruping valves, as shown. Each valve opens automatically, permitting a flow of syrup there through from tank I in response to a can being pressed upwardly against it; the valve automatically closing, shutting off the flow of syrup ,when the can is lowered. The amount of syrup Vfed to the can is automatically limited by the valve.

The valve structure comprises a body .casting 4 which is shown threaded into the bottom plate of the syrup tank; a valve seat member `5 annular in form and slideable vertically in a recess formed in the body; a resilient valve seat .ring a valve disc I which functions also as a `displacement member; a pair of b ifurcated levers ,8 and 9; a bridge member II); a vent tube Il; a retracting `spring I2; and a resilient packing ring I3.

The valve seat ring 6 is preferably made of resilient rubber and it serves two functions; one of these being to effect a sealed engagement between the valve and the peripheral open end of acan in contact therewith, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the other function being that of a valve seat `coasting with the valve disc l.

I Vent tube `II is rigidly secured in the body 4 45 and extends upwardly to a point above the level of the syrup in tank I. The lower end of the vent tube serves as a guide Vupon -which `the valve disc i is slideable vertically into `and out of A.engagement with the ring 6. Normally the valve disc is held down lagainst its seat under pressure 4 of spring I2 as illustrated in Fig. l.

As hereinbefore stated Iit is a characteristic feature `of this valve that the valve disc moves away from the can upon actuation instead of 55 LOI fected Wholly in response to upwardly directed pressure of the can against the ring 6, and is brought about by the action of a translating mechanism comprising as its principal elements the bifurcated levers 8 and 9. Theselevers are pivotally connected to the upper end of the valve disc member 'I through the medium of guide pins I4 and I5, which are best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The opposite ends of levers 8 and 9 are fulcrumed at points I6 and I'I where they bear against the body casting 4. The levers 8 and 9 also rest, respectively, on cross bars I8 and I9 which form a part of the bridge member Ii). The latter member is disposed within and supported by valve seat member 5 and is moveable vertically therewith.

Upon each upward movement of the valve seat member 5 the levers 8 and 9 are rotated about their respective fulcrums I6 and II, motion being imparted thereto by the cross bars I8 and I9,

respectively. It will be observed that the length of the horizontal lever arm from the fulcrum point I6 to the center of cross bar I8, and likewise from the fulcrum point I'I to the center of cross bar I9, is only about one-half the length of the horizontal lever arm from either fulcrum point to thepivoted ends of the levers. Such being the case it follows that the pivoted ends of the levers, together with the valve disc 1, will move upwardly twice the distance traversed by the cross bars I8 and I9 and the members 5 and 6. All this is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, and will be easily understood upon a comparative inspection of those-gures- Because of the necessarily air tight seal between the can being lled and the ring 6, it is essential to provide means for venting the can, for otherwise the back pressure of entrapped air would be likely to stop prematurely the inow of syrup. The vventing must, however, be accomplished in a manner adapted to forestall an excessive back flow of syrup from the vent which would be apt to result in overll, with its consequent waste as well as a messy dripping of syrup 55 from the Valve during the interim between the removal of a lled can and the introduction of a fresh can. These requirements are met in the present valve structure by means of the vent tube I I, the lower end of which is closed but provided with several laterally drilled openings which, when the valve is in closed position as in Fig. l, are obstructed by the hub of the valve disc l. During the filling operation the valve is open as shown in Fig. 2, and the lateral openings in the lower end of vent tube II are exposed so as to permit egress of confined air through the vent tube as the syrup ows into the can and disfpiaces the air therein.

The speed of the syruping machine is adjusted to allow sufficient time for the cans to ll, after which the can holders and cans are automatically loweredwhereupon the valve is restored to its closed position as shown in Fig. l; and the air 75 vent is shutoff as the result ofthe retraction of the valve disc and consequent closure of the vent openings.

Unless the syruping machine happens to be so timed that no more than the required amount of syprup can flow into a can, the syrup will rise in the vent tube and, if this were not automatically shut oi with the closing of the valve, the syrup therein would ow back into the can upon the latter being lowered and would, of course, overflow the can.

The cans should be nearly, but not quite full after the syruping operation-partly because the cover which is afterward to be put on extends a little way into the can and partly because to ll them completely would occasion a great deal of spilling in the after handling. It will be noticed that the valve disc 'I has a concaved lower face and that in its closed position (Fig. 1) it projects a little way into the can. The concavity is to prevent or, in any event, restrict crushing of the fruit which generally is heaped up at the center as it comes to the syruping machine; and the projection of the disc into the can has for its object to force superfluous syrup back through the valve port while it is closing. The syrup content of the can will include that which occupies the space in the valve disc just below the vent tube, a part of which is above the top level of the can, and it will be apparent that the displacement effected by the valve disc should be sufficient to allow for flow-back of that syrup without overfilling. Since the valve disc, upon opening, moves away from the can instead of further into it as in prior syruping valves, the possibility of soft fruit beingcrushed thereby is extremely remote if not entirely eliminated; and, in addition, there being no pressure imposed upon the fruit the syrup will readily flow into the interstices, thus ensuring properly filled cans.

The function of the packing ring I3, which is preferably of soft rubber, is to provide a fluid tight joint between members 4 and 5. This ring, being circular in cross section, will roll in response to the up and down movement of member 5 and it does not present a great deal of frictional resistance to the movement of that member and will not rapidly wear out.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the guide pins I4 and I5 rest in vertical guides which are integral with the bridge member I 0. These permit the necessary vertical movement of guide pins I4 and I5 while restraining the valve disc against rotation about its axis.

The balls 20 function simply as stops to limit the downward movement of valve seat member 5 and, in turn, of the valve disc and lever arms. These balls are held in place by Scotch plugs 2|.

What is claimed is:

1. A can-filling valve having a conduit therethrough for the passage of can-filling material, said valve comprising a pair of complementary valve members normally closing said conduit, one of said members being adapted to be engaged and lifted by a can-to-be-filled, the other of said members being normally positioned to project beyond said first mentioned member into the upper part of a can-to-be-lled, and means operable to raise said last mentioned member out of the can and thereby to open the valve in response to upward movement imparted to said rst-mentioned member by a can-to-be-filled, both said members being positioned outside of a can-to-be-lled during lling thereof and means operable automatically to restore said members to normal position in response to a lowering movement of the can.

2. A can-filling valve having a `conduit there` through for the passage of can-filling material, said valve comprising a vertically moveable annular valve-seat member having a resilient sealing ring adapted to effect sealed engagement with the open upper .end of a can-to-be-lled, and a valve-disc member normally engaging said sealing ring and co-acting therewith to close said conduit, said valve-disc member being arranged normally to project into the can, and means responsive to upward movement of said valve-seat member to impart an upward movement to said valve-disc member thereby opening the valve and withdrawing said valve-discmember from the can.

3. A can-filling valve having a vertical conduit therethrough for the passage of can-filling material, said valve comprising a vertically moveable annular valve seat member having means for effecting a sealed engagement with the open end of a can-to-be-Iilled, a vertically moveable valve disc normally co-acting with said valve seat member to eiect a closure of said conduit, a translating mechanism disposed Within said annular valve seat member, said translating mechanism comprising a plurality of levers, each of which is pivotally connected `to said valve disc member and fulcrumed at points remote from said valve disc member, and means interconnecting said valve seat member with said levers at points intermediate said fulcrums and the pivoted connections of said levers to said valve disc members.

4. In a can-lling valve having a passageway to be controlled, a vertical vent tube having a lateral vent opening at its lower end, a valve disc member slideably mounted on said vent tube and normally covering said vent opening, said valve disc member being operable upon being moved upwardly from its normal position to uncover said vent opening, and a valve seat member co-acting with said valve disc member to open and close said passageway.

5. In a can-filling valve having a passageway to be controlled, a vertical vent tube having a lateral vent opening at its lower end, avalve disc member slideably mounted on said vent tube and normally covering said vent opening, a spring pressing downwardly on said valve disc member, said valve disc member being operable upon upward movement from its normal position` to uncover said vent opening, a valve seat member co-acting with said valve disc memberto open and close said passageway, and a translating mechanism interconnecting said valve seat member and said valve disc member, said valve disc member being moveable upwardly to open the valve in response to upwardmovement imparted to said valve seat member.

6. A can-filling valve comprising a fixed body adapted to be connected to a source of supply of can-filling material, said body having a passageway for lling material, an annular valve seat member slideably mounted verticallyin said body, a vertical xed vent tube supported by said body and extending coaxially therethrough, Va valve seat ring carried by said valve seatl member, a valve disc member slideably `mounted vertically on said vent tube, a spring pressing downwardly upon and normally holding said valve disc member in engagement with said valve seat ring whereby said valve is normally held closed, said valve disc member, when closed, projecting below said valve seat ring, and a mechanism operable in response to an upward movement of said valve seat member 4to lift said valve disc member outof engagement with said valve seat ring thereby opening said passageway.

7. A filling valve for can syruping `machines includinga valve seat member adapted to be engagedland lifted by a can to be filled without entering the can and having a passageway therethrough for communication with said can, a valve: closure and displacement member cooperable-with said seat member and normally positioned to close the passageway through `the latter and to project beyond said valve seat member into a can presented thereto, and means actuated by upward movement of said valve seat member to elevatesaid valve closure and dis- CII placement member out of the can and open said passageway. l

8. A lling valve for syrupers comprising a movable can seal member carried by a valve body and against which a can may be pressed, a movable valve member adapted to normally seat against said seal member and interrupt syrup flow and to project into a can while it engages said seal member, means for lifting said valve member and the projecting portions thereof above the confines of said can and to unseat said valve member upon lifting thecan whereby to remove pressure from the solid contents thereof during syruping and for restoring said valve member upon lowering said can.

9. A valve comprising a hollow open ended cylindrical body portion, a tubular member reciprocable in sealed relation in said cylindrical body portion having at the end thereof a resilient ring forming a can rim engaging surface outwardly thereof and a valve seat inwardly thereof, a valve head for cooperation with said seat and mounted for movement within said body portion and reciprocable member, and means responsive to movement of said member for operating said head to eiect movement thereof in the same direction as the movement of said member and to a greater extent.

l0. A lling valve for can syruping machines comprising a movable valve body, a can seal carried thereby in position to preclude entry of the valve body into the confines of a can presented into sealing engagement with said can seal, said valve body and can seal having a liquid conducting passageway therethrough for communication with said can, a valve seat within said passageway, a movable Valve normally seated on said valve seat to close said passageway and to project below said seal into the confines of a can presented thereto, and valve actuating means operable in response to upward movement of said valve body upon elevation of the can against the seal to lift said valve from the valve seat to open said passageway and to simultane- `ously withdraw the valve out of the confines of the can to prevent excessive pressure by the valve on the contents of the can during the lling operation, said valve actuating means being operable upon descent of the valve body to lowei` said valve whereby it reenters` the can to displace a portion of the liquid therefrom and thereafter closes said passageway.

11. In a fruit syruping device, a normally closed valve structure comprisinga sealing part engageable by a can rim while remaining without the can and having a valve seat therein, and a valve closure seated on said valve seat and normally projecting beyond the sealing part so as to enter such can, and means responsive to moving engagement of such can rim and sealing 4 i part fr moving the valve closure out of the can.

12. ',A filling valve for can syruping machines comprising a ymovable valve body having a liquid yconducting passageway therethrough and provided with a can seal for sealing engagement with the open end of a can presented thereto for filling, a valve seat within said passageway, a movable valve normally seated on said valve seat to close said passageway and to project below said seal into the confines of a canpresented thereto, means providing an air vent passage having an opening at its lower end for communication with a can during the filling operation, valve actuating means operable in response to upward movement of said valve body upon elevation of the can against the seal to lift said Aaosaelv valve from the valve seat whereby to open said liquid conducting passageway and to simultaneously withdraw the valve out of the confines of the can to prevent excessivel pressure by the Valve on the contents of the can during the filling operation, said valve actuating means being operable upon descent of the valve body to lower said valve whereby it reenters the can to displace a portion of the liquid therefrom and thereafter closes said liquid conducting passageway, and means associated with said valve for covering said air vent opening when the valve is seated and operable to uncover said vent opening when the valve is unseated.

ALBERT R. THOMPSON. 

